Another stop on our quest to visit all MN state parks. This was the third of three parks in a day…read moreso we were very tired and only saw a small part of the park. We checked out the remains of the fort and learned about the people who lived there. The visitor center was still closed due to the pandemic but there were many placards around to read and learn. We took a short hike to a lookout point and found these amazing communal cocoons (my bug people say they are either gypsy or tent caterpillars). Views were beautiful. The area looked hilly and would have liked to see more. Best part about visiting all the parks is we get to see which areas are our favorites and visit again.

This is a state park and historic site as well, thus the name. There are ruins showing a much…read morelarger fort at one time and one preserved building and monument. Plenty of interpretive signs that have obviously been rewritten to reflect modern values of inclusive history. There are plenty of camping sites available in this seemingly very quiet park. The walking trails are generally in good shape until you go deeper in to the adjoining trails . There are steep hills and damp valleys and warning signs that trails are rougher. For reasons unknown many sections are closed and certainly it's not from flooding as the summer of 21' is drought stricken. One less star because of some poor or lacking signage and guide maps while at trail intersections. Pick up a paper map at the closed headquarters, (they are in a box), and use your phone compass if need be.

We went to this park after my daughter's daycare had a field trip here. What a little pearl. It's…read moresuch a fun park. I wanted to tell all my friends...but at the same.time want to keep it secret. It has some fun items that you dont see at other parks. One in particular is the circular monkey bars...so fun! My kids really enjoyed their time here There is also a spacious parking lot. Easy to find. And both a play structure for littles as well as a bigger one that goes up to 12 years old.

Another Hidden Gem: Noerenberg Memorial Gardens Review…read more Noerenberg Memorial Gardens is another secret I should have discovered sooner! As someone who lives nearby I stumbled upon it while planning a bike ride and it felt like I found a hidden oasis. The gardens really do live up to being a place of tranquility and fresh air and are a far cry from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The accessibility of the Noerenberg Memorial Gardens is a big plus. Being close to the Dakota Rail Regional Trail makes it a great destination for cyclists. I highly recommend incorporating it into a bike ride. The ride itself adds to the experience, you get to transition from the activity of cycling into the peacefulness of the gardens. This seamless transition makes for a more immersive and rewarding visit. The garden itself is beautiful. The attention to detail in the landscaping is obvious and it's visually stunning and calming. What struck me most was the quiet. Being right next to a busy road and yet it's so quiet. It's amazing how well the gardens filter out the noise and you can fully immerse yourself in the sounds of nature: birdsong, rustling leaves and maybe the gentle lapping of the nearby lake. It really feels like stepping through a "portal of tranquility" and instantly washing away stress and feeling peaceful. The atmosphere is what sets the Noerenberg Memorial Gardens apart. It's a place for quiet contemplation, a space to breathe deeply and reconnect with nature. Whether you want to read a book, meditate or just wander and take in the beauty around you this garden is the place. Feeling surrounded by beauty is both uplifting and restorative. Beyond the aesthetics the gardens offer learning and inspiration. Discovering places like this is valuable learning regardless of whether school is in session. Seeing the different plant species, appreciating the artistry and just soaking in the peacefulness can spark curiosity and deepen your connection to the natural world. It's a reminder that learning can be found everywhere and not just in a classroom. The Noerenberg Memorial Gardens are more than a garden but it's an experience. It's a must see for anyone looking for a peaceful escape. Proof that nature can heal and inspire and a reminder to slow down and appreciate what's around us.

Located right by lake Minnetonka, the Noerenberg Memorial Gardens is a intriguing memorial which…read moreI had the opportunity to partake in a walking tour offered by Three Rivers Park. Through walking through and visiting the eye-catching boathouse architecture and the historic barn which is part of the estate, I learned about the history of the memorial which was originally developed around 1890 by Frederick Noerenberg, a brewer who was one of the first entrepreneurs to establish a year-round home at Lake Minnetonka. Although the family house was torn down and the will was to just preserve the estate the overall feel of the property is still defined by the non existent house. A little disappointed that there are no actual garden with flowers, but the landscape is still stunning and calming that I would like to revisit on my own time.

Trying to be more intentional about exploring parks around Minneapolis this year, and Hidden Falls…read moreseemed like the perfect place to start. We usually default to Minnehaha Falls across the river, but I'd never actually explored this side--which looks to be really sprawling with new townhomes and modular single family homes. We parked near the dam and walked along the trail to reach the stairs leading down to Hidden Falls. Heads up: the walk down is a little precarious since there's no railing for most of the stairs, but it's not very steep and the trek itself is pretty short. The falls themselves were a bit disappointing at the moment--more of a trickle than a waterfall--but it is early in the season. That said, the forested park area it winds through was really nice, and made the visit worth it regardless. I can already tell this place is probably stunning in the summer when everything is green and flowing! Even with the lower water level, it was a great way to explore somewhere new and great to see there were so many people already exploring the park with it being chilly still!

Beautiful park near the city. Grabbed some take out and found an empty picnic table in the middle…read moreof the day - lots of parking! Watched a few boats launch, saw some geese, enjoyed watching people along the shore. Picnic tables near the water at the North Entrance. Check it out!

Such a pretty hidden nature spot and honestly worth wandering around. The waterfall itself is…read morereally cool, but what I loved most was exploring all the little details around it--flowers growing by the creek, dripping mossy rock walls, interesting trees, and just the peaceful feeling of being tucked away in the woods. We definitely climbed around and explored more than expected The waterfall is beautiful from different angles, and if you like taking photos, there are a lot of fun spots and textures to capture. Depending on the time of day, the sun makes the water sparkle which looked really pretty. It felt peaceful, relaxing, and like a nice little escape without needing some huge hike. Definitely bring decent shoes if you plan to explore near the water or rocks because it can get slippery. Would absolutely recommend if you enjoy nature, photography, or just finding quiet pretty places.

An effortless walk through the Big Woods! If you're looking…read morefor a nature fix without an intense workout, this is the spot. The trails are well-maintained and marked, making for an incredibly easy, seamless hike--so much so that you don't really need a map to figure out where you're going. The old-growth forest canopy is gorgeous, and keeping an eye out for all the cool wild mushrooms along the trail made the walk even more fun :)

I have been here in the Summer and also in the winter. It is a nice park that isn't too small just…read moreoff of Hwy 169. We have gone here for some cross country skiing last winter with a bunch of assorted family members! It was a blast. We were also here to take senior pictures for our son a few years back. This park isn't too large that you would get lost. The trails are not paved but most of them are mowed and clear. This used to be an old family farm and many of the buildings and the old house still exist. They have several small lakes to enjoy walking around in the summer. They have ski trails and snowshoe trails in the winter. We always enjoy this park when we come here. We have family that live in nearby Henderson which is just down the road past the Ney Nature Center, heading west on Hwy 19. There are places to eat and shop in town. If you are running low on fuel, they also have a few gas stations. We are planning to return this winter to ski some more! Maybe i will see you there! Enjoy the photos!

My wife and I took our two granddaughters here today, and I was astonished at what a lovely place…read moreit was - and staffed with such helpful people. It's a hodden Twin Cities gem!

Great parks, grounds and community center! Tons of lovely options for kids and adults. Plus the…read morefarmers market is top notch.

What a great park for all ages! So many different areas to play, covered and shaded areas, access…read moreto water foundations. We did not bring our dog but saw dogs there. It is clean and well kept. Plenty of parking. We'll be back!

Great spot on the lake to stop and enjoy the view...or play on the playground equipment with the…read morekiddos! No wildcats witnessed on our visit.

Fantastic park right off the lake. Wood structures with plenty of areas for play - even for the…read moreyounger children. A pavilion nearby, plenty of swings. Such a wonderful variety with balance beams and climbing walls. Nooks to hids. Play boat or castle....or dig in the sand and look out at the lake. Just beautiful. The only bad part is the city need to wipe the spider webs off more.

New park in the Lexington Woods Addition off of Lexington Avenue in Blaine. The parking lot (off…read more131st Ave) is complete-including painting. This playground can boast the new Quantas 8.2 playground equipment-which the kids like. Adaptive equipment, lots of benches, shaded areas, parking lot/bike rack, as well as a porta-potty.

Great park to spend a few hours in. There is a little zoo with elk, bison, goats and some birds…read more Lots of playgrounds and trails to burn your kiddos energy down. On top of that, there is a nice little walk to a small water fall. No entrance or parking fees. Rustic camping is an option as well if you are looking for a place to stay. Big hadd to find, the park is right on town. A good use of a few hours if you want to get outside.

The zoo is a nice touch. My 4 year absolutely loved it. Lots of trails for folks if all ages plus a…read moregood driving path to the waterfall if that's all you want to see. We had fun and can't wait to go back to explore more.